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| Chinese martial arts (Wushu) |
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| Qinggong | |||||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 輕功 | ||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 轻功 | ||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | lightness skill | ||||||||||||||||
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Qinggong (ching-kung) is a training technique for jumping off vertical surfaces from the Chinese martial arts. [1] One way of training is to run up a slightly inclined ramp,gradually increasing the steepness of the incline until it is vertical. [2]
The characters used for this skill are 輕功,where the meaning of the first character is 'light [in weight];easy;soft;gentle' and the second means 'achievement;effort;skill;results'. It is sometimes translated as 'lightness skill'. [3]
The use of qinggong has been exaggerated in wuxia fiction,in which martial artists have the ability to move swiftly and lightly at superhuman speed,and perform gravity-defying moves such as running on water surfaces,traversing across rooftops,and even balancing on a stalk of grass. [4] In some wuxia and martial arts films,qinggong stunts are simulated by actors and stunt performers suspending themselves from wires,earning the name of "wire fu". [5]
Qinggong was taught at the Peking Opera School in the 20th century. The school's most notable students are the Seven Little Fortunes,including Sammo Hung and most famously Jackie Chan,providing a basis for their acrobatic stunt work in Hong Kong action cinema. In turn,this influenced the development of parkour in France. [6] [7]
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